What Would I Have Done Differently In The Past Year
As I mentioned above I am happy with the progress I have made to date. When thinking back, I dont think I would have done anything different during my rehab.
I must stress that I was concerned and fearful about the surgery and the rehab so much so that I strictly followed my doctors orders and was especially diligent following the plan my physical therapists set out for me.
Talking with friends that have also had TKR, the ones that seem to be having the most trouble post TKR are those that didnt take their physical therapy as seriously as I did.
Knee Replacement Recovery Tips
Here’s some top tips for four common questions about total knee replacement recovery time:
You can find the answers to loads more similar questions in the total knee replacement recovery questions section.
Potential Problems With Cemented Implants
Over time, the bone cement that holds the implants in place can break down due to stress on the joint. Although it is uncommon for metal prosthetics to break, they can come loose from the bone if the cement begins to break down. If the implant loosens, a revision procedure may be needed. Recent research has highlighted that cemented knee replacements in younger patients may not last as long as those in older patients, simply due to the increased activity and demand they place on the implants and cement which may lead to premature loosening.
As the bone cement breaks down, it can also leave debris behind, which can irritate the tissues surrounding the joint. This can trigger an inflammatory response within the body as it tries to remove the debris. Eventually, it can lead to a condition called osteolysis, in which the body begins to remove small bits of bone around the implant as well. Osteolysis weakens the bone, causing further loosening of the knee implant.
Don’t Miss: Does Tommie Copper Knee Sleeve Work
What Is Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement surgery replaces parts of the knee joint with artificial parts.
What is Knee Replacement Used For?
Total knee replacement is usually used:
- To relieve pain caused by severe arthritis
- To restore function to an arthritic knee
- To correct significant deformity
- For severe patellofemoral arthritis
Total knee replacement may be considered when other treatments have failed to relieve the pain, which must be significant and disabling.
About 82% of total knee replacements last 25 years and can be affected by a patients activity levels. The procedure is usually reserved for older patients who perform modest activities or younger patients with limited function due to severe arthritis.
Why Do I Have A Problem With My Patella
Her left kneecap was getting way off track, but not quite dislocating. This is called subluxation. In fact, both her patellae have this problem. The left subluxes most often, but the right actually dislocates. Shes had several falls right onto her knees. Both knees hurt, and shes having trouble getting up and down stairs.
In most cases, the kneecap shifts to the outside of the leg, but it can also move towards the inside. Heres what you need to know about patellar tracking disorder and keeping your knees healthy.
Also Check: Is Nano Knee Covered By Medicare
Read Also: Bleach Dark Knees
A Brief Summary Of Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is one of the most common joint replacement procedures performed almost anywhere globally. Surgeons perform total knee replacement or partial knee replacement based on the patient’s health and the severity of pain and damage. Total knee replacement is more common than the partial type, and in this surgery, all parts of the knee joint are replaced with an artificial joint. Knee arthroplasty is a challenging procedure and requires proper post-operative care and attention. As a candidate for knee replacement surgery, you must be prepared mentally and physically for surgery. Some patients expect that they will resume their favorite activities and sports following surgery, just like they do when they are healthy. But this is not true because an artificial joint will never be like a healthy joint. Although the operation will alleviate joint pain and discomfort, you can’t engage in strenuous activities that put a lot of pressure on the knee.
What Type Of Anaesthetic Will I Need
There are two different types of anaesthetic for this operation:
- A spinal anaesthetic
- A general anaesthetic
At the pre-assessment clinic you can talk about the type of anaesthetic for your knee replacement. An anaesthetist will explain to you which type of anaesthetic is most suitable for you but your preference will always be taken into account. Most people have a spinal anaesthetic.
Don’t Miss: Dcf Compression Knee Sleeve
Who Is Offered Knee Replacement Surgery
A knee replacement is major surgery, so is normally only recommended if other treatments, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections, have not reduced pain or improved mobility.
You may be offered knee replacement surgery if:
- you have severe pain, swelling and stiffness in your knee joint and your mobility is reduced
- your knee pain is so severe that it interferes with your quality of life and sleep
- everyday tasks, such as shopping or getting out of the bath, are difficult or impossible
- you’re feeling depressed because of the pain and lack of mobility
- you cannot work or have a social life
You’ll also need to be well enough to cope with both a major operation and the rehabilitation afterwards.
Alternatives To Total Knee Replacement Surgery
There are several different conservative or less invasive options that may be attempted prior to having a total knee replacement.
Injections are often used in an attempt to decrease inflammation, friction, and pain in the joint. Surgical options to consider aim to preserve or restructure remaining tissue and to prevent or put off a total knee replacement.
Physical Therapists provide non-invasive treatment options to improve strength, flexibility, and body mechanics for functional activities to reduce knee pain. PTs can also educate patients on an exercise program for improving body composition.
Recommended Reading: How To Use Ginger For Knee Pain
Don’t Miss: Nano Knee Surgery Cost
Your Recovery At Home
You may need some help at home for several days to several weeks after discharge. Before your surgery, arrange for a friend, family member or caregiver to provide help at home. You may need a walker, cane, or crutches for the first few days or weeks until you are comfortable enough to walk without assistance.
Who Needs Knee Revision Surgery
A knee revision may be necessary for anyone whose prosthetic knee implant fails due to injury or wear, or who gets an infection in the area around implant.
In elderly people who have a knee replacement, the artificial knee implants may last for life. But in younger patients, especially those who maintain an active lifestyle, knee prostheses may eventually fail, requiring a second replacement later in life.
The most common reasons people for knee revision are:
- Infection: The risk of infection from a total knee replacement is less than 1%, but when infections do occur, a knee revision of one kind or another is necessary.
- Instability: This occurs when the soft tissues around the knee are unable to provide the stability necessary for adequate function while standing or walking.
- Stiffness: In some patients, excessive scar tissue may build up around the knee and prevents the joint from moving fully.
- Wear and tear: This can include loosening or breakage of prosthesis components due to friction over time.
Read Also: Bioknee Cost
Understanding Why Some Joint Replacements Fail
We’re also supporting research to improve the outcome of knee replacement surgeries, such as a project aimed at increasing the understanding of why joint replacements sometimes fail by investigating whether there are genetic risk factors that influence surgery outcome. This research has the potential to improve patient experience and increase the life of the joint replacement.
Similar Conditions That Affect The Knee
Meniscus tear
Sometimes patients with knee pain don’t have arthritis at all. Each knee has two rings of cartilage called “menisci” . The menisci work similarly to shock absorbers in a car.
Menisci may be torn acutely in a fall or as the result of other trauma or they may develop degenerative tears from wear-and-tear over many years. Patients with meniscus tears experience pain along the inside or outside of the knee. Sometimes the pain is worse with deep squatting or twisting. Popping and locking of the knee are also occasional symptoms of meniscus tears.
Since some of these symptoms may be present with arthritis and the treatment of arthritis is different from that of meniscus tears, it is important to make the correct diagnosis. A good orthopedic surgeon can distinguish the two conditions by taking a thorough history, performing a careful physical examination, and by obtaining imaging tests. X-rays and Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans may be helpful in distinguishing these two conditions.
Knee Joint Infections
Also called infectious arthritis or septic arthritis, a joint infection is a severe problem that requires emergent medical attention. If not treated promptly knee infections can cause rapid destruction of the joint. In the worst cases they can become life-threatening.Symptoms of a knee joint infection include:
- severe pain
- fevers and
Again, a joint infection is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Also Check: How To Use Ginger For Knee Pain
Why Does It Take That Long To Kneel After Tkr
During total knee replacement surgery, the doctor replaces the affected knee joint with an artificial material of sorts. In addition, the doctor removes and replaces the ending section of the femur bone with a shell made of metal. Similarly, the doctor removes the ending part of the tibia bone and replaces it with a metal stem that is attached to a channeled plastic device.
A device that resembles a button, that is made out of plastic, is also attached under the kneecap region after the doctor assesses the condition of the kneecap.
The name prosthesis is given to the whole set-up of artificial devices that are inserted during the total knee replacement procedure.
In addition, there is a ligament known as the posterior cruciate that prevents the lower leg from sliding backward with respect to the thighbone, by stabilizing both sides of the knee joint.
During total knee replacement, the doctor can choose to either have the ligament removed, kept in place, or replaced with a polyethylene post.
There are numerous risks associated with a total knee replacement. These include pulmonary embolism, which is a condition that causes blood clots that travel from the legs to the lungs UTIs, nausea, vomiting, nerve damage, infection, knee joint bleeding, injury to blood vessels, chronic knee pain, stroke, heart attack, and more.
Increased Mobility After 20 Years
According to the Arthritis Foundation, a study done by the Center for Hip and Knee surgery found that after a 20 year follow up of total knee replacements performed between 1975 and 1985 that 95% of patients could walk at least 5 blocks. The average age of the patients in the study was 85. They also found that none of the implants failed after the 20 year mark.1
With most patients in the study having the surgery performed between the ages of 60-80, many can expect to still maintain mobility with unlimited walking, maneuvering stairs, and successfully continue activities of daily living even with the normal age process.
Some patients unfortunately do require a second knee replacement, which is called a revision.Although revisions are often not as successful as a primary knee replacement surgery, reports show that only about 2% of patients require a revision within the first 5 years.
You May Like: What Is The Best Knee Walker
Why Would I Need Surgery
Osteoarthritis is the main reason why people go for knee replacement surgery. The age-related condition is very common and occurs when cartilage — the cushion between the knee and the bone joints — breaks down.
Other reasons include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is when the bodyâs immune system attacks and destroys the lining of the knee.
- Deformities: People with bowed legs or âknock-kneesâ often get surgery to restore the position of the knee.
- Knee injuries: A broken bone or torn ligaments around the knee sometimes will result in arthritis that causes great pain and limits your movement.
How Long Does Knee Pain Last After Knee Replacement Surgery
One of the most common questions we hear is, How long does pain last after knee replacement?
Traditional total knee replacement will typically require one to three months of recovery with the use of a walker or a cane while partial knee replacement surgery requires significantly less time. But there is more to consider when trying to figure out how long pain will last after surgery.
How long the pain lasts after knee replacement surgery depends on a wide range of factors, before and after the surgery.
Read Also: Inversion Table Knee Pain
How Long Does A Joint Replacement Last
- By Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Joint replacement surgery represents one of the biggest and most life-changing advances in modern medicine. It has meant the difference between disability from crippling arthritis and nearly normal mobility for millions of people in recent decades. The hip and knee are, by far, the most commonly replaced joints, and they have the most reliable results. In the US each year, more than 300,000 hips and 700,000 knees are replaced, and the results are generally good. But every time a joint is replaced, an important question looms: how long will it last?
Its a fair question. After all, no one wants to go through the risk, discomfort, and recovery time required for a major operation only to need it again in a short time.
Different Types Of Surgery
There are 5 main types of knee replacement surgery:
- Total knee replacement. This is the most common form. Your surgeon replaces the surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone that connects to the knee.
- Partial knee replacement. If arthritis affects only one side of your knee, this surgery may be a possibility. However, itâs only right for you if you have strong knee ligaments and the rest of the cartilage in the knee is normal. Partial knee replacement can be performed through a smaller cut than is needed for total knee replacement.
- Patellofemoral replacement. This replaces only the under-surface of the kneecap and the groove the kneecap sits in. This can be very effective for people with chronic kneecap arthritis.
- Complex knee replacement. This procedure may be needed if you have very severe arthritis or if youâve already had two or three knee replacement surgeries.
- Cartilage restoration: Sometimes when the knee only has an isolated area of injury or wear this area can be replaced with a living cartilage graft or cells which grow into cartilage.
Recommended Reading: Ginger Poultice For Knee Pain
Possible Benefits Of Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Regardless of whether a traditional total knee replacement or a minimally-invasive partial knee replacement is performed the goals and possible benefits are the same: relief of pain and restoration of function.
The large majority of total knee replacement patients experience substantial or complete relief of pain once they have recovered from the procedure. The large majority walk without a limp and most dont require a cane, even if they used one before the surgery. It is quite likely that you know someone with a knee replacement who walks so well that you dont know he even had surgery!
Frequently the stiffness from arthritis is also relieved by the surgery. Very often the distance one can walk will improve as well because of diminished pain and stiffness. The enjoyment of reasonable recreational activities such as golf, dancing, traveling, and swimming almost always improves following total knee replacement.
How Long Do You Have Pain After Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Youve just had a total knee replacement. While you know that this will definitely add years to your mobility, the pain from the surgery is the only thing you can focus on overcoming right now. While you may have been experiencing chronic pain before knee surgery, it may come as some relief that post-surgery pain should go away in a short time with proper recovery.
Immediately after surgery, you can expect to be in the care of hospital staff for anywhere from 2-5 days. They will keep you on regular pain medication and be able to keep you up to speed in your recovery process. Its when you head home that it is now up to you to make sure you are doing your stretches, monitoring and dosing your pain and subsequent pain medication accordingly, and following your doctors orders.
While the rest-ice-elevate rule applies to most injuries and surgeries, it is particularly important after a total knee replacement because your pain can be so significant, you will want to do everything you can to stay on track in your healing process.
Also Check: How Much Does Aflac Pay For Knee Surgery